Self-Draining Transmitter Mount Head for Freeze-Resistant Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pressure transmitter flow meter connections fail to fully drain process fluids, such as steam, in cold environments, leading to freezing and damage, and require expensive heat tracing systems, which are not feasible for all installations due to orientation constraints and small passage diameters.
Innovation Solution
A self-draining transmitter mount head design with angled and enlarged internal passages allows complete drainage of process fluids by gravity, even when the transmitter is not oriented vertically, eliminating the need for heat tracing and ensuring fluid does not freeze and damage the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the diameters of process fluid passages are increased to enable drainage, then drainage capability is improved, but sealing performance deteriorates due to inability to properly seal
Solution Approach 1:
The passage system is segmented into two distinct functional zones: upper sections with larger diameters optimized for drainage, and lower sections with smaller diameters optimized for sealing. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different passage diameters are implemented at different locations within the same passage system. The local quality of the passage geometry varies along its length, with larger diameters in drainage-critical areas and smaller diameters in sealing-critical areas, allowing simultaneous optimization of both functions.
2Ease of operation
If the transmitter is oriented vertically upward to enable drainage, then drainage capability is improved, but installation flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage function is achieved not through vertical orientation but through horizontal angular positioning of passages. The passages are angled relative to the transmitter body, allowing drainage to occur when the transmitter is positioned at specific angles to the vertical, thereby adding orientational flexibility while maintaining drainage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal passage geometry is designed with asymmetric angular orientations rather than symmetric vertical alignment. This asymmetric configuration enables drainage in multiple orientations and allows the transmitter to be installed at various angles while still achieving proper drainage function.
3Reliability
If heat tracing systems are installed to prevent freezing, then protection against freeze damage is improved, but installation and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own process fluid to provide thermal protection. The warmer process fluid circulating through the passages naturally prevents freezing of trapped condensate, eliminating the need for external heat tracing systems and their associated costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The process fluid, which would otherwise be considered waste or byproduct, is utilized as a heat source to prevent freezing. The thermal energy in the process fluid is converted into a protective function, turning a potentially harmful cold environment into a benign one without additional equipment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The self-draining design significantly reduces installation and maintenance costs by preventing freeze damage and allowing fluid drainage across a wide range of orientations, ensuring the system's integrity and reducing reliance on costly heat tracing systems.
Implementation Method 1
A self-draining head configuration that allows water to drain away from the transmitter back into the process conduit when process flow is stopped
Implementation Method 2
The passages in the impulse tubes and ports in the current head and/or manifold have diameters that are small enough that the mass of the fluid within may not overcome the surface tension of the fluid, and thus it will remain trapped
Implementation Method 3
In cold temperatures, steam condenses to water, and that water can freeze in head passages, and near diaphragms of a pressure transmitter
Implementation Method 4
the most common method used to protect a flow meter from freeze damage is heat tracing or steam tracing systems
Data Source
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AI summary
A self-draining transmitter mount head (100) includes a head body (101) with a transmitter process coupling port (114) in the head body (101), an impulse port (212) in the head body, and an impulse passage (208) coupled to the impulse port (212). An impulse drain passage (106) is coupled between the pressure transmitter port and the impulse passage. The impulse drain passage (106) is positioned at an angle to the impulse passage, and relative to a head installation angle that positions the impulse drain passage to drain away from the transmitter process coupling port through a range of head installation angles.